CRIME: One man, one day, three bank robberies in North County

TERI FIGUEROA tfigueroa@nctimes.com

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A scruffy white man, on the heavy side and looking to be in his early 60s, went on a brazen bank-robbery spree Friday, striking at three North County banks inside of six hours, local and federal authorities said.

The man, who had a small ponytail, used a demand note in robbing a bank in Poway, hitting one in Vista four hours later and then pulling off a third heist in Poway 90 minutes after that, FBI Special Agent Darrell Foxworth said.

In the first two robberies, the thief also told the teller he had a gun, Foxworth said.

Following the first heist, witnesses spotted the robber fleeing in a dark-colored sedan, the agent said.

Foxworth said the three banks hit in the spree were:

Chase Bank at 12380 Poway Road at 9:32 a.m.;

US Bank at 245 Vista Village Drive at 1:31 p.m.; and

US Bank at 13395 Poway Road at 3:05 p.m.

Foxworth did not say how much money the man stole from each bank.

Witnesses described the thief as about 5 feet, 9 inches to 6 feet tall, weighing about 225 pounds, with a scruffy white beard. He wore glasses, baggy jeans, a blue windbreaker and a baseball cap. In the first heist, he wore a ball cap with a "C" logo similar to that of the Chicago Cubs, Foxworth said.

Tipsters who might recognize the thief can contact the FBI at 858 565-1255 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-TIPS (8477). Tipsters can remain anonymous.